All Hallows’ Eve 🎃

Over the past few years Halloween has become a much bigger affair / festival … a great opportunity for retail and grocery sales to peak, with ideas brought in that bear very little resemblance to the reason as to why this named day actually exists! 

The often hideous displays of horror and death which take to the streets and cackle at corners during Halloween may be done in jest and for ‘fun’, but in reality there is very little to be mocked or joked about when considering the Samhain festival which many link to the current day. There are many connections and suggestions as to how we have got to where we are today, but one thing they all have in common is the acknowledgment of the dead and of darkness on the eve before the 1st November which is All Saints Day … a day to acknowledge good and light. How come we don’t celebrate that day with as much aplomb and expenditure?! Maybe we should get all of our children up early to go round the streets dressed as saints and light, collecting donations for victims of human trafficking and slavery! 

I hope you can manage to read the following poem which is a great one to save and read at this time each year:

Vast armies undead do tread through the night and
In hordes march towards hapless victims to frighten.
They stumble in step with glass-eyes on the prizes;
Bunched hither, hunched over in monstrous disguises;
In sizes not lofty but numb’ring a throng;
To unleash on their prey the dreaded DING DONG.
Small faces with traces of mother’s eye-liner,
Peer up to the resident candy provider.

And there to intone ancient threats learnt verbatim;
They lisp “TRICK OR TREAT!” Tis their stark ultimatum.
Thus: region by region such legions take plunder.
Does this spector-full spectacle cause you to wonder?
Just how did our fair festive forebears conceive,
Of this primeval practice called All Hallows Eve?
The answer, if anyone cares to research,
Surprises, it rises from old mother church.

On the cusp of the customary All Saints Day
The Christ-i-an kinsfolk made mocking display.
These children of light both to tease and deride;
Don darkness, doll down as the sinister side.
In pre-post-er-ous pageants and dress diabolic,
They hand to the damned just one final frolick.
You see with the light of the dawn on the morrow,
The sunrise will swallow such darkness and sorrow.

The future is futile for forces of evil;
And so they did scorn them in times Medieval.
For this is the nature of shadow and gloom;
In the gleaming of glory there can be no room.
What force is resourced by the echoing black?
When the brightness ignites can the shadow push back?
These ‘powers’ of darkness, if such can be called,
Are banished by brilliance, by blazing enthralled.

So the bible begins with this fore-resolved fight;
For a moment the darkness…. then “Let there be Light!”
First grief in the gloom, then joy from the East.
First valley of shadow, then mountaintop feast.
First wait for Messiah, then long-promised Dawn.
First desolate Friday and then Easter Morn.
The armies of darkness when doing their worst,
Can never extinguish this Dazzling Sunburst.

So… ridicule rogues if you must play a role;
But beware getting lost in that bottomless hole.
The triumph is not with the forces of night.
It dawned with the One who said “I am the Light!”

I’m resolved to teach my children some balance so that if they wish to join in some of the more harmless activities of Halloween, then they must indeed appreciate the dawn of the next day … the true light who came to dispel the darkness and to conquer death. There is no victory for death when the light of Christ takes up residence in our hearts … and hallelujah nothing can separate us from this love and light (John 8v12; 1 Cor 15v54-55; Romans 8v35-39).

Ingrid x

Matthew 11v30

I’m having to share another song on … I hadn’t heard it before but it follows on from my previous ramblings and is based on the words of Matthew 11v28-30. 

Rest for you soul ~ Austin French:

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AAYt88GIZSs&feature=share

Ingrid x

Sometimes we’re just supposed to do nothing

“Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46v10) … how often have you heard that quoted? I have, many times and if I’m honest I have even had it quoted at me and resented it because it’s being used in almost an accusatory way, or it’s like being told off because I’m not being patient enough.

We often want and sometimes actually need answers to questions. We may need them by a certain deadline. It might be, and hopefully so, that we truly want to know God’s opinion and will in the matter … so we pray … we acknowledge God’s presence and his specific care for us, and we ask for his direction; his will to be made known; for clear evidence as to what he would want us to choose; for his provision for us to proceed and for this to be made known by whatever time constraint we put before him. 

Then sometimes … nothing! Oh yes, I’ve been there … humanly it’s mega frustrating and tough. Surely if God wants us to do the right thing and make the right choice, then he’d make it abundantly clear? 

I don’t have the answers but I do know this … sometimes God wants us to do nothing. To not rush forwards; to not flap about and stress with overthought and sleepless nights … but rather, to simply acknowledge Him for who He is and to rest in the fact that He is “able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Eph 3v20). He’s got it. He knows. He cares. He will provide. He will direct and open the way. 

During the period of ‘limbo land’ and waiting we are to “be still” and get to know the real God of the detail of our lives and to watch and wait. I’m a poor ‘waiter’ … I struggle to make decisions at the best of times, so if I need to make one then I jolly well want the answer and to have instant gratification as to the outcome God has in mind, so that I can crack on. Needless to say, I’m often enduring times of waiting and still having to learn lessons! 

I read this today and enjoyed it: “The Canadian preacher A.B. Simpson said: ‘Often there’s nothing as godly as inactivity on our part, or nothing as harmful as restless working, for God has promised to work His sovereign will.’ Today God may be saying to you, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted [in this situation]’ (Psalm 46:10 NKJV). Please pay attention!”

So worry less about the outcome or decision needing to be made, and focus more on the knowledge of your God in the stillness of moments that you’ll have to carve out in your day specifically to dedicate to this … they don’t just readily appear. Then having pursued this path of excellence, you will no doubt and quite easily be assured of your next step … in fact it wouldn’t surprise me if the answer you were seeking to a decision or choice needing to be made, manifested itself without angst and that the peace which only God can give, filled you up and reassured you that God himself had gone before and very tenderly seen to all the details.

It is during these waiting, quiet and still times that God himself can lead us beside the still waters, have us lay down in green pastures and gives refreshment and restoration to our souls. Who would want to argue with that or have frantic stress instead of peaceful renewal? Leave it with the one who know and cares best … it’ll work out.

Ingrid x

Weary Traveler

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”. (Matthew 11v28) The Message puts it this way: 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

Isn’t it a relief to know that when the moments come (and they will) where life just seems too hard; too wearisome and heavy … the load is weighing us down, that we have a divine resource, one who says “my yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Matthew 11v30). Suffering may be inevitable but the weight of it and it’s impact can be off-set by giving it to the only one who can truly take it and in return lighten our load. 

“I’d advise you, then, to quickly get rid of your burden; for until then you’ll never be settled in your mind or enjoy the benefits of the blessings that God has given you” (John Bunyan, Pilgrim).

We’re all on a journey and we’ll all get weary at some point. God is with us every step of the way … talk to him and let him help share and lighten the load.

Another song for you … I love the line in this one ‘you were never meant to walk this road alone’. Listen to ‘Weary Traveler’ ~ Jordan St. Cyr:

https://youtu.be/Z36k-BXIags

Ingrid x

A song

I hadn’t heard this song before and the line “your presence is my greatest weapon” has stuck with me so I thought I’d share it with you all.

My Weapon ~ Natalie Grant:

https://youtu.be/4BpirBRWGUs

Ingrid x

The heavens are telling of the glory of God;And the expanse [of heaven] is declaring the work of His hands.

Day after day pours forth speech,

And night after night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there [spoken] words [from the stars];

Their voice is not heard.

Yet their voice [in quiet evidence] has gone out through all the earth,

Their words to the end of the world.

In them and in the heavens He has made a tent for the sun,

Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber;

It rejoices as a strong man to run his course.

The sun’s rising is from one end of the heavens,

And its circuit to the other end of them;

And there is nothing hidden from its heat.

The law of the Lord is perfect (flawless), restoring and refreshing the soul;

The statutes of the Lord are reliable and trustworthy, making wise the simple.

The precepts of the Lord are right, bringing joy to the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;

The judgments of the Lord are true, they are righteous altogether.

They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;

Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.

Moreover, by them Your servant is warned [reminded, illuminated, and instructed];

In keeping them there is great reward.

Who can understand his errors or omissions? Acquit me of hidden (unconscious, unintended) faults.

Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous (deliberate, willful) sins;

Let them not rule and have control over me.

Then I will be blameless (complete),

And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

Be acceptable and pleasing in Your sight,

O Lord, my [firm, immovable] rock and my Redeemer. (Psalm 19)

I sing to God, the praise-lofty, and find myself safe and saved … He stood me up on a wide-open field; I stood there saved - surprised to be loved! God made my life complete when I placed all the pieces before Him … Now I’m alert to God’s ways … Every day I review the ways He works … God rewrote the text of my life when I opened the book of my heart to His eyes. (Psalm 18)

It started when God said, “Light up the darkness!” and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (2 Cor 4)

There’s so much in the above verses; a huge abundance of truth to hide in our hearts to, in turn, be evident in our lives.

I find it astounding that although God is light and in Him is no darkness at all, and Jesus says ‘I am the light of the world’, that God had to actually create light. When it came to creation and the need for sustaining life on earth, God needed to create suitable light for us to survive and thrive. His light would have been too much for us; His direct glory too overwhelming … He made the sun, the moon and the stars just for us!  How would we know and appreciate light if it wasn’t for darkness? 

Spiritual light and life is the same … He lights up the darkness within us and His word shines forth as the noonday sun. God’s ways and words are refreshing the psalmist says, they are trustworthy, joyful, enlightening and clean. To allow our hearts to become open (hidden secrets and all), before God’s eyes will indeed rewrite the text of our lives and will astonish not only us, but those around us. The transforming power of God’s love can never leave a life unchanged, and the change will always be for good!

Ingrid x

The Mind and the Will

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you”.

“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”. Romans 2v1-2 (The message and the ESV)

“You have a destination. God created you for a specific purpose (Psalm 139:13–16). So He calls you not only to walk uprightly and obediently, but to fulfill your destiny. Therefore it is key to guard your heart by knowing God personally and experientially; by discerning His revealed will; by shutting out all that distracts you from that calling; and by steadfastly walking the path He has ordained. Protect your mind and don’t settle for anything less than God’s best”. (Chuck Swindoll)

It seems to me that a key to knowing the will of God; to have it revealed so that we can walk in it and be in the right place to happily want to walk in it, is to work on renewing and protecting our minds first. How can we discern his will if our minds are not transformed through the renewal of our new life in Christ? I often want to know God’s will in a matter or a decision for my life … and I want to know it now, without due preparation in the minefield of my mind. Who do I think I am, to dictate revealed knowledge from almighty God without spiritual wisdom and discernment? What a foolish position to be in. 

As with so many things in life, we seek instant fulfillment or an immediate answer which is so lacking in depth and character. Far better that we prepare ourselves through inner work … mind work and heart work, seeking wisdom and protection … it’s that time of abiding in the vine, so that when action is required and decisions must be made, then we are fully aware of what is right and will be blessed by God. 

Discernment may lead to a knowledge of God’s will and wisdom will reveal God’s timing. It is one thing to know that God has laid something on your heart with a view to you performing an active part in it, but it is another thing to know when to act on it … sometimes patience has to take the lead for a period of time … never easy!

Ingrid x

Just thought I’d share a link to something I’ve just come across and am looking at. It’s a mental health and pastoral care institute (based in Australia), with a new on line course “Press on: building resilience and mental well-being”.  With it being mental health month and all of us having had so much to cope with over the past 18 months, it’s good to take the time to truly look after our mental health and also explore what the Bible says about this often avoided subject.

https://www.mentalhealthinstitute.org.au/

Just prior to coming across this course, I was listening to a song by Selah called ‘Press on’! Funny how these things happen and link together. So I’d better share that too:

https://youtu.be/_Bg2cJ5bw2k

Ingrid x

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Ok so following on from a previous post, I was thinking about the different pieces of armour whilst driving in the morning (berating myself for not thinking about dressing myself ‘properly’!). I went through the verse in my head and mulled over the various elements … this is my rather basic and unresearched analysis, in no particular order:

The Helmet of Salvation

This makes sense to me. At the point of accepting Christ as my Saviour, my mind and thinking should be governed and guarded by the helmet of my salvation … I should think in the new way, having been given new life, not as the old me. My mind should be transformed and cleansed as well as protected through this new birth and salvation … my mind has been redeemed.

The Shield of Faith

A shield would be held up against attack whether from arrows or sword. It was often impenetrable and would save a life … but it required active holding and being deliberately positioned correctly in order to be effective. If held to the side when an arrow was being shot at the front, the shield would be of no use. In similar vein our faith can be mightily effective if we hold it up against attack … actively, consciously and in the right direction. It is often our own failings and weakness that allow the penetration of an attack against us to succeed … we simply haven’t wielded the shield of faith adequately or accurately.

The Sword of the Spirit

In contrast to the shield of faith which is used to defend, a sword is used to attack with, although in the act of attacking with it, one would also be protecting oneself. So the sharpeners of the sword being the word of God is what we are to use going forward in battle. It ties in with that verse which says: “for the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirits of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Hebrews 4v12). To me, one of the best ways we can wield and utilise this asset in our armoury is to memorise plenty of verses including many of the promises given to us in God’s word.

Peaceful footwear

The passage tells us that our feet should be shod with the gospel of peace and that they are to be ready. We shouldn’t miss out on opportunities just because we haven’t got our shoes on! Wherever we go and therefore whoever we meet, we should be approaching and leading with the peaceful gospel … our arrival should exemplify the beyond understanding peace which we have secured through the redemptive gospel of Christ and his atoning death.

The Belt of Truth

I love this one. Truth should hold us together. It should embrace our very being, neatly securing our identity and purpose, reassuring us of our position in Christ and the power that brings. It is only when completely surrounded by truth that we are in a position to wear and wield all the other elements. But what is truth? I recall watching a video of many people on the streets of America being asked this question and so many struggling to give an answer at all. To me, ultimate, pure and simple truth is whatever God says and is. Only God can provide and share pure truth.

So that leaves me with the one element I had to stop myself on because I honestly didn’t really know what it meant without thinking more deeply …

The Breastplate of Righteousness

It’s easy to reel it off, but when I imagined putting it on, I wasn’t entirely sure what if would look like or relate to. I understand righteousness in some ways and I know that a breastplate was a protective piece of armour similar to what our police and soldiers would use these days in the form of bullet proof vests, essential to protect vital organs. In dictionary terms, righteousness means ‘the quality of being morally right or justifiable’, however before God we are not and never can be in and of ourselves, righteous … this is something that comes from God. In Romans ch 5 it talks about the gift of righteousness which is of course given through Jesus Christ. So this ‘right living’ before God can only be achieved through our faith in Christ and the growth of that through the study of his word and prayer … only in this way can we protect our innermost being and heart to withstand temptation and attack. We must surely work on properly crafting our personal breastplates, blended with the impenetrable ingredients of faith, the word of god and prayer … only then will we begin to live righteously and provide the appropriate layer of apparel to guard our hearts from harm.

To finish off Pray at ALL Times! That’s the final command as though when you’re fully clothed and kitted out for the days battle ahead, your constant necessity to progress forward is to pray … always.

Let’s get our battle clothes on folks … for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against the power of this world, the spiritual forces of evil in this present darkness (Eph 6) … in the process of defending and attacking, we bring peace!

I found Chuck Swindoll’s paraphrasing of Proverbs 4v23 helpful, it reads like this: “More than all else to be closely watched and protected (like a city or a bank vault), protect your inner self—your mind, your emotions, your character, your discernment—like a sentry at the gate watches over a city from his watchtower, because this is the source of all the decisions, responses, and deeds that represent your life”.

Ingrid x

A couple of songs

Just sharing a couple of songs I’ve enjoyed today by Lydia Laird

Meet Me There:

https://youtu.be/UQ6JxZKRXrM

I’ll Be Okay:

https://youtu.be/nnnTluqZHko

Ingrid x

Getting dressed

So when was the last time you carefully calculated and decided to get thoroughly dressed spiritually before you did physically in the morning? I get it ... I haven't done it either, not in a very specific way!

"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities,against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people". (Eph 6v10-18)

Think about the actual act of getting dressed ... you have to find each item of clothing and then take ahold of them and put them on one by one, completing your attire suitable for the day ahead. Once downstairs and before you leave the house, you'll put suitable footwear and outerwear on too. Each piece is needed and appropriate (usually!).

Can you imagine what sort of days we'd have, if we did the same spiritually, putting on the armour of God? Visualise actually taking each item and putting it on you, fully clothing yourself with the power and protection God has readily given for us to use.

I quite often don't stand firm ... I falter, faff about, fail and almost deliberately want to give into temptation or complacency. Surely if I had gotten myself dressed properly first thing, I wouldn't even have to think about whether or not I could stand firm; it would be a given that I would! With that list of armour and the application given, I honestly feel as though I could conquer any challenge a day may bring. I would have courage and commitment; clarity of thought and motive; I would soar above the pettiness; I would deflect the arrows of self-doubt and false accusation; falsehoods would not deter me from pursuing the truth and standing my ground. What mighty power there is in this passage and I would venture to say for the most part, untapped by the majority. 

I've a good mind to stencil the exhortation in these verses on my bedroom wall, or maybe on my wardrobe, so that I consider getting dressed for the day's battles, before I get dressed in my physical clothes. 

The passage starts with BE STRONG and ends with BE ALERT ... in the middle STAND FIRM ... and always pray.

Let us try, from this day forward, to prioritise our spiritual attire over our physical dressage.

Ingrid x

Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers … he will certainly care for you. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus. (Luke 12v27 & Phil 4v19)

I just love this photo! If you can see closely, you’ll notice that the crow has pecked and taken some wool from the sheep. What a downy, cosy nest it’ll make to rest in. How sharing of the sheep. There’s harmony in nature; companionship in creation and provision for all … a lot to be said for community and sharing what we may have with others … each of us have gifts and strengths so why don’t we share and support each other more. Not necessarily money or provision, but a skill maybe or an act of service. If a crow can take a sheep’s wool from its head and both be ok with it, then we can certainly help each other out a bit more and rely on the fact that God will always provide for our needs too.

Ingrid x

(Thanks to Shane King for the photo)